WASHINGTON — Democrats are holding a “celebratory” roll call vote to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris on the second night of their convention in Chicago.
The party held a virtual vote on Aug. 6 that made her the party’s official nominee. Tuesday’s vote is taking place with DJ Cassidy spinning a special song for each state in the roll call and a light show in the United Center arena.
Why California, Minnesota passed at the DNC
California and Minnesota, the home states of Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have passed during the convention roll call — letting the party roll on.
This year’s roll call has been unlike any in political history. But one tradition held, the one mandating that the home state of the nominee generally passes, then goes near the end to pass the deciding vote to formally clinch the nomination.
This year, Minnesota, where Walz is governor, could get the count close and let Harris’ California and its motherlode of delegates put her over the top as the Democratic nominee.
The roll call has been full of special surprises including rapper Lil Jon making a surprise appearance.
The rapper joined the Georgia delegation to help deliver its 123 votes for Harris. The rapper’s hit song ‘Get Low’ has became a sort of rally cry for the Harris-Walz campaign in the last few weeks.
Actor Sean Astin, best known for playing the titular Notre Dame football player in “Rudy,” joined the Indiana delegation to help cast its 86 delegates for Harris and Walz.
“I want what’s best for Indiana and that means electing Kamala Harris the first woman president of the United States of America,” Astin said.
What is a delegate?
In the context of presidential elections, delegates are individuals who represent their state or community at their party’s presidential nominating convention. These delegates choose a presidential candidate to represent the national party in the November general election. They also approve the party’s platform and adopt rules governing the party. Delegates tend to be party insiders or activists or early supporters of a particular presidential candidate.
